TRANSCRIPT
- South Korea's parliament votes to overturn martial law declared by the President overnight
- The Greens have flagged a potential agreement with Labor for the upcoming election
- Former world number one Neale Fraser dies at 91
South Korea's parliament has passed a motion requiring the martial law declared by President Yoon Suk-yeol to be lifted, after troops were seen trying to enter parliament.
Mr Yoon declared martial law in a late night address broadcast on YTN television, saying he would "eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces".
Live television footage shortly following this announcement showed troops apparently tasked with imposing martial law attempting to enter the assembly building, and parliamentary aides were seen trying to push the soldiers back by spraying fire extinguishers.
After parliament voted to lift the declaration, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declared that MPs will protect democracy for South Koreans.
"I declare that 190 were present and all 190 voted in favour of a motion demanding the lifting of emergency martial law."
Mr Yoon did not cite any specific threat from the nuclear-armed North when declaring the law, but pointed to his domestic political opponents.
It is the first time since 1980 that martial law has been declared in South Korea, which has been a democracy since 1988.
**
A new deal is set to deepen Australia's military ties with Singapore, with the two nations providing greater access to each other's military facilities.
The two sides are expected to sign an update to their strategic agreement in 2025.
It comes following a visit by Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles to Singapore where they met with their local counterparts.
The renewed deal is set to provide more training opportunities for Singaporean soldiers in Australia.
Mr Marles has described the agreement as a significant step forward in an already broad and unique relationship between the two countries.
**
The remaining members of the Bali Nine drug smuggling ring could soon return to Australia under a draft deal struck with Indonesia.
Home Affairs minister Tony Burke is in Jakarta to finalise the matter – including to work through impediments within both legal systems that would otherwise prevent a transfer.
A draft proposal was handed to Australia during the meeting, applauded by Mr Burke as a significant step forward.
"I have full respect for the Indonesian legal system and approach the conversations with a great deal of respect and a great deal of humility. The goodwill from Indonesia to Australia in those conversations was absolutely clear and I thank the coordinating minister for that."
**
Greens leader Adam Bandt says he is willing to discuss a potential agreement with the Labor party for the upcoming elections.
Recent polls have shown Labor is likely to falls short of the seats necessary to form a majority in parliament, which could put them in need of crossbench support.
Mr Bandt says there would need to be advanced discussions to iron out the details of a deal that would see the Greens backing the Labor party.
It comes after the government was able to pass more than 40 bills last Thursday, largely thanks to the support of the Greens.
**
The Finance Minister is calling on the Commonwealth Bank to rethink plans to charge some customers a $3 fee to make cash withdrawals.
From early next year, the bank will be closing a savings account where no assisted withdrawal fee was offered and will move those customers to an existing account where a $3 assisted withdrawal fee is applied.
The fee applies if money is taken out at bank branches, post offices or by phone.
Finance Minister Stephen Jones says the move punishes customers for using cash.
"This is a kick in the guts for ordinary Australians and the worst Christmas present imaginable. The Commonwealth Bank has to rethink this terrible decision. This seems to me to be a tax on Australians who demand the right to use their cash, and the government won't stand for it. We're working for Australians to ensure they can continue to use cash if they so choose."
The bank's Group Executive for Retail Banking Services Angus Sullivan says the fee will be waived under certain conditions, pointing to fee-free transactions for customers at CBA ATMs.
**
In tennis,
Former world number one in the men's rankings Neale Fraser has died aged 91.
The news was confirmed late on Tuesday by Tennis Australia with several former players and organisations paying tribute to the Melburnian.
Rod Laver took to social media platform X, describing Fraser as a true gem in a golden era of Australian tennis legends.
Fraser won 19 Grand Slam titles between 1957 and 1962, including a Wimbledon singles trophy and three Australian Open doubles.
Speaking to SBS, former player and sports broadcaster John Alexander shares his early memories of seeing him play.
"The first championship match I ever saw played, dad took me out to see Neale Fraser play Barry MacKay at White City. And Neale won in four sets. I remember it very clearly. I remember his extraordinary serve. And he was Wimbledon champion at the time and our number one Davis Cup player. And that made a big impression."
